Trump Clubhouse handed Zit award

Donald Trump's Menie Clubhouse has been handed a Zit Award for Scotland's worst building - despite the fact it hasn't even been built yet.

The accolade was bestowed upon the mock gothic design in recognition of its misguided attempt to blend in with the historic MacLeod House.

Michael Rasmussen, architect & fellow of the Royal Incorporation of Architects, told Urban Realm: “The building was designed by Huntly architects Acanthus df, who in the past have turned out some very fine buildings. If one is to design a pastiche of an historic building then at the very least it needs to be true to the scale, style and proportion of the period – this building is none of those. With the Menie Estate’s location within a landscape of heroic importance, Acanthus have a duty to society, the environment & their profession to produce a building that befits such a wonderful and unique setting.

“By producing this third rate building a golden opportunity has been lost to create a sublimely elegant, understated, contemporary building that could have been a beacon for the best that Scottish Architecture. We have the talent – what a shame it was not utilised in this instance.

“One can reflect that this is most likely a classic example of an architect being “told” what to do by his wealthy and powerful client & in so doing relegating a noble profession to nothing more than a second rate draftsman. What price integrity – when sold out for the might $. Resignation from the commission would have been an honourable solution. Shame on you Acanthus.”

In a separate award Aberdeen City Council’s decision to press ahead with a contentious competition to reshape the city’s Union Terrace Gardens earned the authority a Pock Mark Award for worst planning decision.

16 Comments

it must be so easy for people that don't have clients and actual projects to meet to comment on others' work.. good on you, richard, just you keep living in that dream world of make-believe projects.. i think this isnt a 'golden oppurtunity missed' but rather 'total disaster skillfully avertsd'.. it's far far better than i'd have expected it knowing trump's taste and demanding nature.. and anyone who's seen aberdeen's landmarks such as aberdeen grammar will actually be able to relate it to more than just plain pastiche..

I have no doubt that the brief is the problem. That doesn't make the solution any more acceptable.
If the architects had withdrawn from the project, then another firm would quickly have stepped in. Would the result have been any better? Probably not.

*6 - Compromising on core principles is not something I'd recommend to anyone. That doesn't always mean refusing to engage with developers who have a different outlook - it's important to try to influence outcomes, rather than just complain from the sidelines.
For me, the client / consultant relationship has to be a two-way street. Otherwise, architects, urban designers and planners play only a technical role.

Is anyone seriously surprised at the quality of the architecture when you view the gross tastelessness, ego and insensitivity of Trump. Future golfers who frequent this course will simply perpetuate those qualities.
Golf is not an ethical excuse.
Boycott... Avoid...

I agree with the article, its not a great design and it doesn't sit well into the landscape (if the artists impression is any indication. I have to agree with most commenters though that it is most likely the breif not the architect that is a fault....still acanthus are big and successful enough to have pulled out had they not been happy with the design or had it been the project been objectionable to them so really they are as much to blame. I agree its better to engage with developers etc to ensure the best comes from what they do but Donald Trump is a whole different species.....I don't imagine anything he is involved with is sympathetic, beautiful or beneficial to anyone but himself. :(

A colleague of mine, who is a chartered planner remarked the other day that he thought Architecture was the most self destructive profession that he knew of. Little wonder when you read all of the subjective comment on this website.

Acanthus have wages to pay to staff who have mortgages and bills to pay. In these tough times I'm sure that Donald Trump's money is the exact same color as anybody else's. Well done Acanthus! Let them carp from the sidelines whilst they (over)design their intricate, bespoke kitchen extensions and don't forget that every architect has a few skeletons in the cupboard.

I have a whole cupboard of Chartered Planners who are still trying to find their way out of the cupboard. I've illustrated what a door is to them on numerous occasions to educate them in design. They still don't get it.

Wages, mortgages & bills should not be the deciding criteria of whether you (over)design mince or not. Acanthus produced mince. Aberdeen planners accepted the mince.
I would pass some on to my Chartered Planners but they are still mumbling away behind that big bit of flat wood with a handle on it. I think they're organising an escape committee, Walt.

Some planners can recognise decent design and have the guts to reject it, some councillors also have the ability.
But I agree they are few and far between - particularly on the guts front.
Thank you to all those who recognise that the is inappropriate design for this location.